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Background: Kinesiology Tape (KT) is widely used in sports rehabilitation and by those performing physical activity, however, there is no consensus in the scientific literature about its effectiveness on performance, strength or muscle activation. Purpose:The purpose of this study was to measure the acute effects of KT in static rest, and during knee extension maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) performance in resistance trained men. Study Design: Observational, descriptive, comparative.Methods: Eighteen young, healthy, trained males (age: 25±6 years, height: 176.0±5 cm, and mass: 81.8±8.0 kg) volunteered to participate. Initially, they were in a relaxed sitting position of 90 degrees knee flexion with their limb supported by the machine lever arm to measure passive tension of the tissues of the knee joint. Then, they performed three MVIC trials of five seconds each with a three-minute rest between trials, in four randomized experimental conditions, with 10-min rest between conditions: (a) control, no taping; (b) Knee Sleeve; (c) KT; and (d) sham. During all MVICs, peak force, impulse, and muscle activation of the vastus lateralis (integrated electromyography [IEMG] and median frequency) were measured. Results:Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed no statistical differences between conditions for passive tension (p>0.05), peak force (p>0.05), impulse (p>0.05), IEMG (p>0.05), or median frequency (p>0.05). Conclusion:KT does not influence passive tension during static position at 90 degrees of knee flexion. KT does not affect quadriceps activation or force production during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction in the same position. Level of Evidence: 3a

Introduction In the hospital environment, several types of professionals must be involved in continuous working shifts, under working conditions that are often unsatisfactory. Objective The objective of the present study was to analyze the biomechanical risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD). Material and methods This was a cross-sectional, exploratory, descriptive and quantitative study and its analysis considered 15 workers, in three shifts. A questionnaire containing personal information and general data regarding the work environment was applied. The REBA protocol was used for posture assessment, once the workers were recorded while performing their activities. The results were presented descriptively. Results In light of the results obtained, the working day was found excessive, particularly considering the weekly frequency and period of time of the working shifts. The REBA protocol showed that the positions adopted presented high risk for the development of WRMD in all nine activities evaluated. Conclusion The nursing activities were characterized as stressful for the workers involved.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate muscle activation of the shoulder extensors and trunk stabilizers by surface electromyography (sEMG) activity during the isometric Ab Wheel Rollout exercise in different shoulder joint positions. METHOD: We recruited 8 young, healthy, resistance trained men (age: 25 ± 3 years, height: 178 ± 5 cm, and total body mass: 81 ± 2 kg). All subjects performed two sets of 10 sec. maximal isometric contractions of the Ab Wheel Rollout exercise keeping the knees fixed on the floor and the arms taut. To perform the exercise, all subjects were randomly assessed in the following three positions related to the angle between the arms and trunk, in random order: arms aligned vertically with the Ab Wheel Rollout exercise (neutral); 90° and 150°. A rest period of 5 minutes was provided between tests. The sEMG signals were recorded in the following muscles: Latissimus Dorsi; Pectoralis Major; Erector Spinae; Rectus Abdominis. RESULTS: There were significant increases in Rectus Abdominis muscle activity between: neutral vs. 90°, neutral vs. 150° and 90° vs. 150°. There was a significant increase in Pectoralis Major muscle activity between neutral x 150°. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings indicate that (a) Ab Wheel Rollout exercise emphasizes the muscle action of the Pectoralis Major and Rectus Abdominis more than the Latissimus Dorsi and Erector Spinae; (b) the level of muscle activation depends on the external force created by the body mass and lever arm from the center of mass.

RESUMONeste trabalho, foram elaborados dois torquímetros para análise de força isométrica durante as contrações voluntárias máximas de punho e antebraço. Após a confecção dos equipamentos, foram realizados testes piloto com voluntários universitários, sendo registradas as medidas de torques. Houve diferença significativa entre os gêneros, quando se comparou a força desempenhada em posição neutra de punho, sem desvios. No que se refere às medidas de pronação e supinação de antebraço, os homens desempenharam mais força que as mulheres, em todas as posições iniciais de análise. Notaram-se diferenças significativas quando se comparou a lateralidade, ou seja, houve maiores valores de força de pronação e supinação (em Nm) de antebraço direito do que de esquerdo, para homens (209,95±55,93 de pronação e 211,94±62,76 de supinação) e mulheres (98,42±34,68 de pronação e 89,60±28,10 de supinação). É possível, por meio dos equipamentos, comparar a contração muscular voluntária máxima e a despendida em atividades laborais que necessitam de movimentos associados à força de antebraço e punho. ABSTRACTThe aim, in this study, was to elaborate two torquemeters to analyze the isometric strength during maximum voluntary contractions in movements of wrist and forearm. After the equipments were created, using appropriated material, pilot tests were conducted to university students as volunteers and torques measures were registered. There was a significant difference between the genders, when the strength performed in neutral wrist position was compared. As for the forearm pronation and supination measures, the men achieved higher strength than the women, in all positions of initial analysis. There were significant differences when the laterality was compared, that is, there were higher values of the right forearm pronation and supination (Nm) than of the left one, for both men (209.95±55.93 to pronation and 211.94±62.76 to supination) and women (98.42±34.68 to pronation and 89.60±28.10 to supination). It is possible, with the equipments, to compare the maximum muscular voluntary contraction and the one performed in laboral activities that require strength movements of wrist and forearm.